Bolton boss Phil Parkinson, who was still purring about the Middlesbrough winger more than 48 hours after Saturday’s meeting at the Macron Stadium, has revealed that the Boro coaching staff highly rate the Spaniard’s potential.

Traore, who returns to his former club Aston Villa for the first time since his move to Boro in August last year, produced two moments of magic to set up his side’s opening two goals, which were converted by Britt Assombalonga.

It was a reminder of the form that convinced Middlesbrough to spend in the region of £7m on the ex-Barcelona prospect.

Such moments have been few and far between since Traore’s move to Boro, but the 21-year-old justified the club’s determination not to sell him in the summer window with his match-winning performance at Wanderers.

“Yes, there were things we could have done in each goal to avoid them but sometimes you have got to hold your hands up and say, on the day, he’s probably put in his best performance in a Middlesbrough shirt.”